2025 Kia Seltos vs 2026 Subaru Crosstrek
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Kia Seltos bursts onto the scene with sharp aesthetics and an accessible $24,690 starting price, aiming for efficient, agile city driving with its 146 hp engine and 29 combined MPG rating. Conversely, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek flexes tangible performance muscle; its 180 hp output and 178 lb-ft of torque offer a noticeable edge over the Seltos's 132 lb-ft. While both crossovers share an identical 29 MPG combined efficiency, the Crosstrek leans into spirited driving, despite costing $2,305 more at the entry level. The Seltos counters with slightly superior utility, offering 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the Crosstrek's 19.9 cubic feet. Both utilize AWD and a CVT, but the power gap—a significant 34 horsepower advantage for the Subaru—defines the core conflict between these two compact rivals.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Kia Seltos
The Kia Seltos edges out the competition due to its slightly lower MSRP of $24,690 and marginally better city fuel economy at 27 MPG.
2025 Kia Seltos
The Seltos provides significantly more accessible storage with 26.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Crosstrek's 19.9 cubic feet.
2026 Subaru Crosstrek
The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek is the clear performance winner, boasting 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque for a thrilling drive.
2025 Kia Seltos
The Kia Seltos delivers commendable efficiency and utility at a lower entry price point of $24,690.
Choose the Kia Seltos if...
- You prioritize the lowest possible initial purchase price, with the Seltos starting at $24,690.
- Maximum usable interior storage is critical, as the Seltos offers 26.6 cubic feet of cargo volume.
- You want the slight advantage in urban fuel efficiency, rated at 27 MPG city.
Choose the Subaru Crosstrek if...
- You demand superior acceleration and responsiveness from the engine’s 180 hp output.
- You enjoy more torque on tap, as the Crosstrek provides 178 lb-ft versus the Seltos's 132 lb-ft.
- You prefer a slightly longer overall vehicle (176.4 inches) for potentially better road presence and ride stability.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Kia Seltos | Subaru Crosstrek |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 172.6" | 176.4" |
| Width | 70.9" | 70.9" |
| Height | 63.4" | 62.8" |
| Wheelbase | 103.5" | 105.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Kia | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Fixed Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Kia | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | flat 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 146 hp @ 6200 rpm | 180 hp @ 5800 rpm |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm | 178 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | — | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Kia | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | Limited Slip | Limited Slip |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Kia | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 27/31 MPG | 26/33 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 29 MPG | 29 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 356.4/409.2 mi. | 431.6/547.8 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13.2 gal. | 16.6 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Kia | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Push Button Start | — | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | — | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Kia | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 7.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 4 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Length | — | 4 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Kia | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 4 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Kia | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.0 in. | 39.8 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.4 in. | 42.9 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 55.5 in. | 56.8 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 53.5 in. | 55.1 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Kia | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.4 in. | 38.0 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.0 in. | 36.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 54.7 in. | 55.3 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 52.8 in. | 53.2 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Kia | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.0 in | 17 x 7.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P215/55R | P225/60R17 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Kia | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Kia | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Seltos and 2026 Subaru Crosstrek.
How does the engine power difference affect real-world driving between the Seltos and Crosstrek?
The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek holds a significant 34 horsepower advantage, delivering 180 hp compared to the Kia Seltos's 146 hp. This extra power, coupled with 46 more lb-ft of torque, means the Crosstrek will feel noticeably punchier when merging onto highways or overtaking.
Do these crossovers have the same fuel economy despite their power differences?
Yes, remarkably, both vehicles share the same 29 MPG combined rating, utilizing regular unleaded fuel. The Seltos achieves 27/31 MPG City/Highway, while the Crosstrek trades 1 MPG in the city (26 MPG) for 2 MPG on the highway (33 MPG).
Which vehicle is better for hauling gear or luggage?
The 2025 Kia Seltos is superior for cargo duties, offering 26.6 cubic feet of capacity behind the rear seats. The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek provides substantially less space at 19.9 cubic feet.
What is the price difference when comparing the base models?
The 2025 Kia Seltos has a lower starting MSRP at $24,690. The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek commands a premium of $2,305, beginning at $26,995.
Since both use AWD and a CVT, are the driving dynamics similar?
While the drivetrain layout (AWD, CVT) is shared, the massive power disparity dictates distinct driving dynamics. The Crosstrek will feel more urgent and responsive due to its higher output, whereas the Seltos will operate more neutrally to prioritize efficiency.
Are the physical dimensions very different?
They are similar in width (both 70.9 inches), but the Crosstrek is slightly longer at 176.4 inches compared to the Seltos's 172.6 inches. The Seltos is marginally taller at 63.4 inches versus the Crosstrek's 62.8 inches.
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